Using CRISPR To Fight Antibiotic-Resistant "Superbugs"

[Mr. Wizard]

Kristen Hovet
September 25, 2020

Antibiotic resistance and the rise of "superbugs" could result in 10 million deaths each year by 2050, unless this mounting global health crisis can be halted. Currently, at least 23,000 Americans die each year as a direct result of antibiotic-resistant microbes, while an unknown number die from related complications. The development of new antibiotics has become one of the most pressing goals of our time, yet it's not happening quickly enough. The superbugs are winning.

Recent research from the University of Manchester's school of chemistry has introduced the possibility of a new form of antibiotic.......

Keep Reading: https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2...eid=7fc188f0dc

[Islander]

There is no question that rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a serious global concern, and I'm encouraged that the search continues for some yet undiscovered remedy. That said, I have to admit that I'm skeptical about CRISPR. I can't help but recall some of the disastrous errors that have been made in the area of genetic engineering in the past. There seems to be a lot of support for CRISPR, so perhaps I'm too quick to judge something I don't fully understand.

[Mr. Wizard]

Generally, I've been skeptical of gene editing procedures, like CRISPR, too. However, I've grown a bit more open to CRISPR after reading here at HH the articles on how CRISPR has improved the lives of sickle cell disease patients.